Really basic Apache stufff

[mrw0253]

Obviously I'm new to Apache. Here is my question.
I'm developing some web pages on my laptop.
I want to share them with some friends on remote computers before I host them.
I've installed the Apache server and it is up and running.
I'm able to access my web page in my browsers in either of two ways:
"localhost"
or a domain name I associated with my ip from DynDNS.com.
I am using port 80 which is not blocked by my isp (Comcast broadband).
There are no firewalls interfering.
There is no router.
Can I use Apache to allow remote users to see the web pages being developed and, if so, what additons to the config file must I make?

[jdMorgan]

mrw0253,

Welcome to WebmasterWorld!

> There are no firewalls interfering.
> There is no router.

Sorry to say, but the above two comments indicate that you're taking a rather large risk with your PC, whether you run a server or not. I'd recommend that you get a firewall/router on that connecti0on as soon as possible. It takes about 17 seconds, on average, after plugging a machine onto the 'net, before someone is trying to get information from it in order to break in. Either firewall it, or don't put anything on that computer that you don't want stolen, deleted, and/or published tomorrow.

You'll need to set up your server to recognize incoming requests that use the domain name in addition to the local IP address. The documentation at [httpd.apache.org...] and the pages linked from there will show you many of the ways to configure an Apache server.

Jim

[mrw0253]

Jim,thanks for the reply. I didn't mean to be taken literally about not having a firewall. I use Zone Alarm and to the best of my knowledge it is not interfering with requests to my server on port 80. I have read the material you referenced but I must be missing some essential point. As I mentioned I am able to get to my web pages on my local machine using the ip address and equivelant domain name. My config file is set up to listen to port 80 without restrictions yet my attempts to connect from a remote browers doesn't work. Fixing this must really be simple since it seems so basic but I'm just not getting it.

Thanks again,

Rich

[jdMorgan]

How is your DNS set up?

Jim

[mrw0253]

Jim, I think my problem is with closed ports. When I run a check for open ports I discover that no ports are open. This is in spite of the fact that Apache is in my trusted zone in Zone Alarm. It almost appears that I've got some unknown firewall blocking ports on my computer.
The windows firewall service is not running and the situation doesn't change when Zone Alarm is disabled. Have you had any experience with a problem this this?
I'm certain the Apache config file is OK with everything working as expected as a localhost.
Rich

[jdMorgan]

Have you used "ping" to test (from an 'outside' machine) to see if you can reach your network's WAN IP address (the public address of your modem)?

Once you get successful pings to your WAN IP, make sure that Apache appears as a "Server" for both the Trusted Zone and the Internet Zone in ZoneAlarm's Firewall - Programs control list. Then adjust the Trusted Zone and Internet Zone settings in Firewall - Zones. If you want to 'disable' Zone Alarm, do it here in this Firewall - Zones screen.

Jim

[mrw0253]

Jm, I cannot ping my machine from a remote computer. Zone Alarm is set as you described. This has got to be some kind of windows problem. There was a previous problem installing sp2. I no longer show the windows fire wall service and have a corrupted WMI file. Maybe there is a connection with this problem. I've set Apache to port 203. When I probe this port it shows it as "stealth" hidden from other computers. This doesn't sound right.

Rich

[mrw0253]

Jim, I consider myself pretty computer savy but this problem baffles me. My best guess is that my ISP (Comcast) is blocking my pc ports. I've been in contact with them and they deny it in spite of the chatter on the web saying they do. It is clear the ports are blocked and I don't have the foggiest idea what to try next.
I plan to explore the windows registry to see if there are any clues there but that is a long shot.
Thanks for your help.

Richard

[jdMorgan]

I suppose you could go to Shields Up and run a port scan on your computer's WAN address. I'd also recommend a re-install of WinDoze if your WMI is misbehaving -- That's a fairly close-to-the-OS thing there.

Jim

[mrw0253]

Thanks, I have run shields; that's how I discovered the closed ports. What is Windoz?

[mrw0253]

WIndoze - sorry I missed the pun.

Rich

[mrw0253]

Jim, one last quick question. Do you suppose there is a way to find out if the blocked ports are because of a windows issue or because of the ISP?

Rich

[jdMorgan]

Got another computer or maybe a laptop you could borrow and plug into your modem?

Or take your computer somewhere else and plug into their modem?

Either way would at least determine a computer- versus an ISP-related problem.

Jim

[mrw0253]

Great suggestion. I logged in by modem to another account I have through Juno and got the same results - all ports blocked. Now the fun starts trying to figure out what's going on.

Thanks,
Rich

[mrw0253]

Jim, GOOD NEWS - problem solved. Amazing, even without ICS/ICF running, no firewall showing in services and no sp2 installed the windows firewall was enabled. I managed to find a small script to add the registry disabling the firewall and I now have open ports.
Rich